iPhone 18 to Feature Smaller Dynamic Island and Transparent Glass Design

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 is expected to retain most of the design elements from the iPhone 17, which received mixed reactions from users, while making only minor adjustments. Reports suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro may introduce a partially transparent glass panel on the back, likely serving as a larger area for wireless charging.

This design shift is anticipated to be mostly aesthetic, with the transparent glass potentially revealing the vapor chamber cooling system first introduced in the iPhone 17 Pro. The new visual element would add a distinct touch to the device without changing its core functionality.

Other aspects of the iPhone 18 are expected to remain consistent with the iPhone 17, including the triple-camera module and display sizes. However, Apple may reduce the size of the Dynamic Island or replace it with a punch-hole design in select models, thanks to the relocation of Face ID sensors under the display.

The move toward a punch-hole display is part of Apple’s broader three-year plan, which aims to deliver a special edition iPhone in 2027 to mark the brand’s 20th anniversary. Reducing the Dynamic Island and introducing subtle design changes highlights Apple’s efforts to differentiate each generation while maintaining its signature look.

Currently, the iPhone 18 is still in prototype development, so the final design may shift before launch. Even so, past reports surrounding the iPhone 17 proved highly accurate, making it likely that the prototype reflects the actual direction for the iPhone 18. This could make the model a unique transitional step, especially if the punch-hole design remains temporary before Apple’s next major leap forward.